Sunpad replacement

Blueone

Blueone

Well-Known Member
SILVER Sponsor
Jan 24, 2007
13,794
Lake Erie, Ohio
Boat Info
2004 420 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins 6CTA 450's
When we purchased the boat the Sunpad was not included. We don't have any experience with a sunpad so we have a few questions about the materials and design. We have a local shop that will make it for us. We just have to tell him what we want. Can you give me your thoughts on what you would do. I would want the Sunpad installed when we use the boat over the weekend no matter what the weather is like and I would remove it during the week or when we are not on the boat.

Design - I don't want it to Prop up so it would stay flat. In order to remove and store in the aft or cockpit would you make it in 3 hinged sections that would allow it to fold up ? or some other configuration ?

Material - would you make the top surface vinyl or sunbrella? ..thinking of suntan lotion, exposed to elements, cleaning, dry time etc. Has anyone made the bottom surface mesh or would it be vinyl/Sunbrella as well?

Cover - We have the factory snaps in place to hold the Sunpad in position and a row of additional snaps for a cover. Is a cover necessary when underway to hold it down or are you fine with just the pad fastened in place ? Does the cover help when it rains or is it just holding moisture in and under the pad?

Thanks in advance for you suggestions
 
Dan we are doing the same over the winter, I have a flat pad now and we hate it. We have been on others that hinge at the back and knees and it's great. Try some on for size before you commit . If you have a cover there's no need to remove the pad. Seems sunbrella is the material of choice I believe vinyl would get way to hot. We're thinking of a sunshade also similar to the pic below.
Keep us up to date.
View attachment 47004
 
When we replaced the factory pad, we added one on each side with snaps and straps that hold it to the mid-bow rails. We then had a Sunbrella cover made that covers the whole 3 pad area. It looks great and performs well as we don't remove the Sunbrella cover when it's used. You're right about lotions and other things staining the vinyl which does get to hot and dirty too easily. We simply throw the cover in the washing machine with some Woolite or similar detergent. A quick spray of 303, put it on and it's as good as new!

Mark Sunpad.jpg
 
Definitely sunbrella. The bottom should have some mesh screen to allow air and water to fall out. DEFINATELY invest in a sunbrella cover with snaps to go on top of the pads. You'll be able to leave the pads there all season. The flip-up rail is nice, as it allows you to sit-up on the pad, but is not a requirement IMO.
 
Our pad is getting a little long in the tooth and I've thought of replacing it. I have seen some with a flip up back that allows you to sit up, but not one with a flip up part at the knees.

Anyone have a photo of one with the flip up knee thingy?
 
Gofirstclass said:
Our pad is getting a little long in the tooth and I've thought of replacing it. I have seen some with a flip up back that allows you to sit up, but not one with a flip up part at the knees.

Anyone have a photo of one with the flip up knee thingy?
Click to expand...
GFC,

The new photo looks great.
 
Thanks Eddie, A friend took that this summer right at the perfect time to get that golden sunshine effect. He actually took several shots spaced a minute or so apart and I liked this one best. You can't see them in the photo but there were 7 people on the flybridge We were taking the office staff from Junior Achievement out for a cruise to pay them back for all the good they do in our community.
 
gerryb said:
Definitely sunbrella. The bottom should have some mesh screen to allow air and water to fall out. DEFINATELY invest in a sunbrella cover with snaps to go on top of the pads. You'll be able to leave the pads there all season. The flip-up rail is nice, as it allows you to sit-up on the pad, but is not a requirement IMO.
Click to expand...

Gerry, are you saying the pad should be made of sunbrella and then also make a sunbrella cover to cover the whole pad? Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Great topic as I just bought a boat and it has the tabs to hold it down but no pad.
A friend of mine has the same boat and gave me his to copy but do not like the way his back rest is. I have a 420 dancer. Anybody know if you can buy a hinge system or will I have to see if I can find someone to make it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
HS, thanks for that picture. I'm not sure I'll go with one where the knee folds but I would like to have a headrest. I like the type shown in your photo in post #2, but I think I'd like it to be a bit thicker than that, more like a pillow.

I don't think I've ever used our sunpad. That's GW's territory. I'm light skinned and with our hot sun I'd burn to a crisp in no time. My dermatologist would have a fit if I did that.
 
Thanks for the suggestions

For those of you with a sunpad is the cover necessary ?
 
Mine are Sunbrella over Dryfast foam, Phifertex mesh on the bottom to promote drying / drainage.

IMG_4876.jpg
IMG_4880.jpg
 
It may get tempting to get a dark blue material to match your hull but I'd avoid it. All the dark color pads I've been on become unbearably hot in the summer and you'd have to lay a towel down on them to use them. Maybe a color that matches your top deck with blue piping would look nice.
 
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